Insurance agency turns 100, continues to give back to community

Winton-Ireland Strom & Green Insurance Agency cooks up some barbecue ribs during a 2011 Relay for Life fundraiser.

Name of business: Winton-Ireland Strom & GreenType of business: Insurance agencyLocation: 627 E. Canal Dr., TurlockHours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through FridayContact info: 667-0995History of business: As one of the area's oldest businesses, Winton-Ireland celebrated its 100th anniversary in January this year. The company originally began in 1913 as the G. H. Winton Insurance Agency. The company's founder, G.H Winton was a cashier at the First Bank of Livingston and opened the insurance business strictly as a side job. However, in 1924 Winton left the bank and dedicated all time to his insurance company. Thirty years later, Winton was back in the Livingston bank building. This time however, he owned the building and his own thriving business. In 1954, Keith Winton joined his father's business and they changed the name to the Winton Insurance Agency. In 1973, Mike Ireland joined the company and the partnership purchased the F.W. insurance group and finally came to Turlock and haven't left the town since. In September 1988, Strom & Green Insurance Agency joined the Winton Insurance Agency and formed Winton-Ireland Strom & Green. Currently, the WIS&G Turlock off has a total workforce of 85 employees. Over the years WIS&G has helped fundraise or directly financially supported over 750 local programs, some of which include: Boys Scouts of America, Future Farmers of America, Carnegie Arts Center and the Turlock Community Theatre."We're proud to be in Turlock. When people ask me where I work and I tell them they instantly know and smile. It's a good feeling," said Sophia Stukas, vice president of operations and strategy projects. Business specialty: WIS&G helps clients find an array of insurances including agriculture, commercial, health and life, personal insurance, workers compensation and alternative risk solutions. Using cost and data analysis, WIS&G compares and contrasts different insurance agencies in order to best fit the needs of its clients.